Najma Arshad

Effect of Peganum harmala or its β-Carboline Alkaloids on Certain Antibiotic Resistant Strains of Bacteria and Protozoa from Poultry

In the present study the antimicrobial potential of various extracts from 12 medicinal plants has been investigated in vitro on multiple antibiotic resistant pathogens and some selected protozoa isolated from poultry. The initial examination was performed on E. coli (n = 10) using disc and agar well diffusion assays. Only two plants, Peganum harmala (seeds) and Eucalyptus globulus (leaves) showed positive responses. The active extracts were also investigated against an additional 19 bacteria and the clonal cultures of three protozoa (Histomonas meleagridis, Tetratrichomonas gallinarum and Blastocystis sp.). Only Peganum harmala was found to inhibit the growth of all bacteria and protozoa at 0.38–1.55 mg/mL and 0.63–1.65 mg/mL, respectively. To investigate the potential role of alkaloids in crude extracts of Peganum harmala, four known β‐carbolin alkaloids were quantified and their antimicrobial activity was compared using a microdilution assay. Harmaline was found to be in the highest concentration followed by harmine and harmalol, whereas harmane could not be detected. The activity of the pure alkaloids was in the order harmane > harmaline > harmalol ≥ harmine for all bacteria, while for protozoa, it was different depending on the microorganism. It is concluded that Peganum harmala or its alkaloids could probably be used for the control of antibiotic resistant isolates of bacteria as well as protozoa. Copyright

Peganum harmala Can Minimize Escherichia coli Infection in Poultry, but Long-Term Feeding May Induce Side Effects

Peganum harmala seed extracts have been frequently reported to possess antibacterial potential through in vitro studies, but in vivo studies have acquired less attention. The present study was therefore designed to investigate its efficacy on the course of colibacillosis and effects of long-term feeding on selected parameters of general health in chickens. Two experiments were conducted in this regard. Experiment 1 (a pilot study) was performed to determine the dose of a field strain of Escherichia coli (O1:K1) required to induce clinical symptoms in 4- and 15-d-old specific-pathogen-free chickens. A successful induction of colibacillosis, in terms of clinical signs, mortality, and pathological lesions in addition to reisolation of the pathogen was observed by inoculating 4- and 15-d-old chicks with 4.3 log(10) and 6.4 log(10) cfu of E. coli, respectively, by intraperitoneal injection. Using these doses experiment 2 (main study) consisting of a single experiment with 3 parts was performed. Parts A and B generated the information regarding efficacy of the extract against infection in 4- and 15-d-old chickens applying different treatment schemes, whereas the effects of continuous feeding of the extract were assessed in part C. Whereas no protective effect of the extract could be recorded in young chickens, significant differences (P < 0.05) with regard to BW, clinical score, gross lesion score, and total granulocyte counts were observed in 15-d-old birds. Bacterial recovery per gram of tissue and reisolation frequency were lower in treated birds. The continuous feeding of the extract for 6 wk resulted in an augmentation in relative liver weight and depletion in alkaline phosphatase, protein, albumin, and globulin. It can be concluded that the crude extract of Peganum harmala possesses limited antimicrobial activity against E. coli in vivo and long-term continuous feeding may induce undesired effects. Furthermore, the study underlines the value of in vivo experiments and the diverse picture that herbal products, in this case Peganum harmala, may deliver by testing them against specific pathogens.

Study of hematological indices in tannery workers exposed to chromium in Sheikhupura (Pakistan).

Chromium (Cr), being an excellent tanning agent, is widely used in the leather industry and tannery workers (TW) are exposed to it either in the form of inorganic Cr(III) compounds or Cr bound to proteins (leather dust) in the process of leather production. During the present study, the effect of Cr on the hematological indices in TW was evaluated. In this study, hematological indices of 92 male TW aged 20—60 years were compared with 79 control males who hardly had a chance of exposure to chromium. Both groups were subdivided into four age groups with an interval of 10: group A, 20—29 years; group B, 30—39 years; group C, 40—49 years; group D, 50—60 years. Total erythrocyte count (TEC) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in TW of age group A, B and C than control subjects. Packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in TW of age group B while mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in TW of age group D. Within the TW, MCH was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the age group D as compared to age group A and B. No significant changes were observed in the values of hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration between TW and control individuals. The low values of TEC, PCV and MCH might be a result of chromium exposure in the tannery workers and may act as indicators of chromium toxicity.

Phytochemical, Antimicrobial, and Toxicological Evaluation of Traditional Herbs Used to Treat Sore Throat

The in vitro antibacterial activities of 29 traditional medicinal plants used in respiratory ailments were assessed on multidrug resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from the sore throat patients and two reference strains. The methanolic, n-hexane, and aqueous extracts were screened by the agar well diffusion assay. Bioactive fractions of effective extracts were identified on TLC coupled with bioautography, while their toxicity was determined using haemolytic assay against human erythrocytes. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of effective extracts was also performed. Methanolic extract of 18 plants showed antimicrobial activity against test strains. Adhatoda vasica (ZI = 17–21 mm, MIC: 7.12–62.5 μg/mL), Althaea officinalis (ZI = 16–20 mm, MIC: 15.62–31.25 μg/mL), Cordia latifolia (ZI = 16–20 mm, MIC: 12.62–62.5 μg/mL), Origanum vulgare (ZI = 20–22 mm, MIC: 3–15.62 μg/mL), Thymus vulgaris (ZI = 21–25 mm, MIC: 7.81–31.25 μg/mL), and Ziziphus jujuba (ZI = 14–20 mm, MIC: 7.81–31.25 μg/mL) showed significant antibacterial activity. Alkaloid fractions of Adhatoda vasica, Cordia latifolia, and Origanum vulgare and flavonoid fraction of the Althaea officinalis, Origanum vulgare, Thymus Vulgaris, and Ziziphus jujuba exhibited antimicrobial activity. Effective plant extracts show 0.93–0.7% erythrocyte haemolysis. The results obtained from this study provide a scientific rationale for the traditional use of these herbs and laid the basis for future studies to explore novel antimicrobial compounds.

Irrational use of antimalarial drugs in rural areas of eastern Pakistan: a random field study

BackgroundPrescription of antimalarial drugs in the absence of malarial disease is a common practice in countries where malaria is endemic. However, unwarranted use of such drugs can cause side effects in some people and is a financial drain on local economies. In this study, we surveyed the prevalence of malaria parasites in humans, and the prevalence of the malaria transmitting mosquito vectors in the study area. We also investigated the use of antimalarial drugs in the local people. We focused on randomly selected rural areas of eastern Pakistan where no malaria cases had been reported since May 2004.MethodsMass blood surveys, active case detection, passive case detection, and vector density surveys were carried out in selected areas of Sargodha district from September 2008 to August 2009. Data pertaining to the quantities and types of antimalarial drugs used in these areas were collected from health centers, pharmacies, and the district CDC program of the Health Department of the Government of the Punjab.ResultsSeven hundred and forty four blood samples were examined, resulting in a Blood Examination Rate (BER) of 3.18; microscopic analysis of blood smears showed that none of the samples were positive for malaria parasites. Investigation of the mosquito vector density in 43 living rooms (bedrooms or rooms used for sleeping), 23 stores, and 32 animal sheds, revealed no vectors capable of transmitting malaria in these locations. In contrast, the density of Culex mosquitoes was high. Substantial consumption of a variety of antimalarial tablets, syrups, capsules and injections costing around 1000 US

A probable role of blood lead levels on some haematological parameters in traffic police, Lahore, Pakistan

, was documented for the region.ConclusionUse of antimalarial drugs in the absence of malarial infection or the vectors that transmit the disease was common in the study area. Continuous use of such drugs, not only in Pakistan, but in other parts of the world, may lead to drug-induced side effects amongst users. Better training of health care professionals is needed to ensure accurate diagnoses of malaria and appropriate prescription of antimalarial drugs delivered to communities.

Prevalence of rotavirus, adenovirus, hepatitis A virus and enterovirus in water samples collected from different region of Peshawar, Pakistan.

The impact of elevated blood lead level on some haematological parameters was studied in the field force of Lahore traffic police, in Pakistan. The blood samples were tested for total leucocytes count (TLC) and differential leucocytes count in the persons with high and low blood lead levels. The TLC and percentage of neutrophils and eosinophils were observed as being significantly elevated in the policemen. No significant change was observed in the percentage of lymphocytes, while the percentage of monocytes was observed as being significantly less in the field force of traffic police.

Frequency of hepatitis E and Hepatitis A virus in water sample collected from Faisalabad, Pakistan

Viral gastroenteritis and other water-borne diseases are the most neglected areas of research in Pakistan. To determine the quality of water, 4 enteric viruses were studied from different localities of Peshawar, Pakistan. The study validates the viral detection method for Rotavirus (RV), Human adenovirus (HAdV), Enterovirus (EV) and Hepatitis A virus (HAV), directly from water sources of rural areas of Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan. Overall, 95 five water samples were tested; among them, 9.47% were positive for RV, 38.94% for HAdV, 48.42% for EV and 12.63% for HAV. The presence of these viruses in water was directly correlated with meteorological data. High prevalence of EV and HAdV was detected frequently in the wet season from May - September, which can be the potential cause of spreading of gastroenteritis in the population. Environmental surveillance is an additional tool to evaluate the epidemiology of enteric viruses circulating in a given community.

Linking traditional anti-ulcer use of rhizomes of Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) to its anti-Helicobacter pylori constituents

Hepatitis E and Hepatitis A virus both are highly prevalent in Pakistan mainly present as a sporadic disease. The aim of the current study is to isolate and characterized the specific genotype of Hepatitis E virus from water bodies of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Drinking and sewage samples were qualitatively analyzed by using RT-PCR. HEV Genotype 1 strain was recovered from sewage water of Faisalabad. Prevalence of HEV and HAV in sewage water propose the possibility of gradual decline in the protection level of the circulated vaccine in the Pakistani population.

Toxicological Evaluation of Essential Oils from Some Plants of Rutaceae Family

Abstract The rhizomes of Bergenia ciliata (B. ciliata, Family: Saxifragaceae) are widely used for treating gastric ulcers in folk medicine in Asia. It was hypothesized that anti-ulcer activity of B. ciliata is due to its anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) activity. The anti-H. pylori activity was investigated on six clinical bacterial isolates using agar well-diffusion and broth micro-dilution methods. The anti-H. pylori activity of amoxicillin (standard) was the highest (Zone of inhibition; ZI = 25 mm, minimum inhibitory concentration; MIC=0.125 µg/µL) whereas among all the extracts of the rhizomes, methanol extract showed the highest activity (ZI = 16 mm, MIC = 12.50 µg/µL). Bioassay guided isolation of methanol extract using chromatographic and crystallization techniques isolated bergenin (ZI = 21mm, MIC = 0.391µg/µL) as constituent responsible for anti-H. pylori activity. The present study describes for the first time anti-H. pylori activity and possible mechanism of anti-ulcer properties of rhizomes of B. ciliata. Graphical abstract